Bachelor of Arts inSociology

Majoring in Sociology involves the study of the roles people play in society, both as individuals and in groups. How does group interaction change over time? How do ideas of what’s normal and what’s not come into being? How do social class and ethnicity shape people’s lives? You’ll learn to become a critical thinker about the social world as you take 44 credit hours towards a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Sociology Curriculum Overview

Students graduating with a Sociology major develop lifelong skills in scientific thinking and understanding human thought, behavior, and interaction. The developed educational outcomes in combination with the internship experience prepares student to enter a career of choice or graduate school.

Prerequisites from General Education

Course ID

Course Name

Credit Hours

MAT - 110

Intro Probability & Statistics

3

This course will explore fundamental topics from probability and descriptive and inferential statistics and apply these to a range of areas of study including business, social science, and biology. Topics include probability and counting rules, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, chi-square, and analysis-of-variance. (Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in MAT100 or MAT103 or level 3 or higher placement on the Math Placement Exam.)

This course provides an introduction to the systematic study of society and social behavior. Investigation will focus on the values and norms shared by society's members, the groups and institutions that compose social structure, and the forces that are transforming social reality.

This class provides an overview of classic and contemporary theory including a discussion of the works of Karl Marx, Max Webber, Georg Simmel, Emile Durkheim, George Herbert Mead, Talcott Parsons, Ralf Dahrendorf, Anthony Giddens, and others. Social theory is examined as a continually evolving process that both inspires and enlightens sociological research. **This course serves as the capstone experience for the sociology major. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course covers a variety of research strategies for studying psychological phenomena. Students will conduct studies using different research methodologies and will gain experience in analyzing data and writing research reports. Descriptive Statistics, measures of central tendency, correlation, multiple regression, inferential statistics, chi-square, t-tests, analysis of variance, hypothesis testing with application to research methodologies will be taught. (Prerequisites: PSY101, MAT110)

This course analyzes the nature and functions of American social class and community life. The primary focus is on patterns of social in equality and resulting systems of stratification, both of which are evaluated in terms of their consequences for the individual and the community. The debate of rights verses responsibilities forms the basis of inquiry into the individual-community relationship. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

Students examine how the individual's personality, behavior and attitudes are shaped through interaction with others. The course deals with such issues as conformity, persuasion, aggression, altruism, and attraction. Individual behavior is understood in light of symbolic communication and the social construction of the self. (Prerequisite: SOC152 or PSY101)

This course addresses the fundamental question of how and why social organization is possible. Attention is given to major concepts and theories of social structure, forms of social organization (groups, communities, networks, formal organizations), basic social processes (integration, differentiation, regulation, change), the emergence of social organization from individual decision-making, and the sociology of work and occupations. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course considers the family as one of the primary social institutions within the larger social system. It explores the family's internal structure and functioning, how it serves the needs of both individuals and society, how it is changing in contemporary American society, and the societal challenges of families in crisis. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course is a scientific study of development from prenatal life through late adulthood, with emphasis on the interplay of psychological processes, heredity and environment. This chronological review addresses physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes across the lifespan. Students observe children in the campus Early Childhood Center or in a similar setting off campus. (Prerequisites: PSY 101)

Students study various racial, ethnic, and other social groups in the broad context of American society. Attention is given to the concept of minority status as it relates to prejudices, discrimination and segregation in contemporary life. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

The course uses a sociological perspective to analyze the meaning of crime for a society, theories of criminal behavior and crime prevention. Emphasis is placed on understanding the law enforcement, judicial and corrections systems. Current issues such as police discretion, gun control, capital punishment and corporate crime are examined. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course examines basic social welfare theory and methods in order to understand the structure and function of public and private welfare in American society. Social welfare is examined as part of the larger American social structure, reflecting cultural values as well as political and economic processes. Attention is given to several areas of social welfare in which specialization has occurred, including work with the elderly, the chemically dependent and battered children and adults. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

Students participate in internships in social service agencies, local government, urban studies and related fields of interest under supervision of field professionals and staff members of the sociology department. (Prerequisites: SOC152; sociology majors only)

This course considers the family as one of the primary social institutions within the larger social system. It explores the family's internal structure and functioning, how it serves the needs of both individuals and society, how it is changing in contemporary American society, and the societal challenges of families in crisis. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course explores the people and culture of countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. These Southeast Asia countries known for their ancient culture, increasing modernization and breathtaking beauty, provide a rich setting for interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to introduce students to the region's history and culture. Students will learn about language, literature, history, religion, economics, politics, education, arts and other aspects of Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian cultures. Students will receive an orientation prior to the trip that will acquaint them with the course and its learning objectives. Classroom instruction and cultural appreciation will be integrated with the cultural tours. Particular attention is given to the Hmong experience in two comparative contexts: Southeast Asia, and the United States. The program will take place in a number of southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

China, known for its ancient culture, increasing modernization and breathtaking beauty, provides a rich setting for interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to introduce students to the people and culture of China. Students will learn about the Chinese language, literature, history, religion, economics, politics, education, arts and other aspects of Chinese culture. Students will receive an orientation and become acquainted with the course objectives prior to the course. Classroom instruction and cultural appreciation will be integrated with a cultural tour of Beijing, Xi'an , and other major Chinese cities and sites. Visits to the great wall of china, the temple of heaven, the summer palace, Tiananmen Square, the forbidden city, and the Lama Temple. Excursions will be made to local markets, a Chinese cooking class, a river cruise, a site visit to a Chinese school, the Terracotta Warriors, and a Hmong village. Particular attention is given to the Hmong experience in two comparative contexts: China, and the United States.

The course uses a sociological perspective to analyze the meaning of crime for a society, theories of criminal behavior and crime prevention. Emphasis is placed on understanding the law enforcement, judicial and corrections systems. Current issues such as police discretion, gun control, capital punishment and corporate crime are examined. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

The course covers the elements and effects of the Minnesota Criminal Code. Students study basic procedural law; crimes against persons, crimes against property, juvenile law, traffic law, and laws relating to domestic violence. Pertinent court cases are discussed in relation to each topic. (The course is required for students who intend to take the POST exam for Minnesota law enforcement officers.) Prerequisite: SOC152

The course examines the nature and extent of juvenile crime in American society. It includes an analysis of the historical and intellectual foundations of the juvenile justice system and the interpretation of Constitutional law as applied to children. Emphasis is placed on the role of the family and community in the prevention and treatment of delinquency. (Prerequisites: SOC152, SOC256)

This course is a scientific study of development from prenatal life through late adulthood, with emphasis on the interplay of psychological processes, heredity and environment. This chronological review addresses physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes across the lifespan. Students observe children in the campus Early Childhood Center or in a similar setting off campus. (Prerequisites: PSY 101)

This course explores a variety of themes in development throughout the lifespan beginning with youth and ending in the last stages of adulthood including aging, death and dying. Lifespan, sociological, psychological, and family science perspectives will be used to examine a variety of themes. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course examines the formal, public responses to crime. It includes a discussion of the nature of criminal law and its purposes and the classification and grading of various criminal wrongs. Case law examples are used to enable students to understand, critique and apply criminal laws to situations in contemporary society. (Prerequisites: SOC152, SOC256 or consent of instructor)

This course analyzes the nature and functions of American social class and community life. The primary focus is on patterns of social in equality and resulting systems of stratification, both of which are evaluated in terms of their consequences for the individual and the community. The debate of rights verses responsibilities forms the basis of inquiry into the individual-community relationship. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

Students study various racial, ethnic, and other social groups in the broad context of American society. Attention is given to the concept of minority status as it relates to prejudices, discrimination and segregation in contemporary life. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

This course examines basic social welfare theory and methods in order to understand the structure and function of public and private welfare in American society. Social welfare is examined as part of the larger American social structure, reflecting cultural values as well as political and economic processes. Attention is given to several areas of social welfare in which specialization has occurred, including work with the elderly, the chemically dependent and battered children and adults. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

Students examine how the individual's personality, behavior and attitudes are shaped through interaction with others. The course deals with such issues as conformity, persuasion, aggression, altruism, and attraction. Individual behavior is understood in light of symbolic communication and the social construction of the self. (Prerequisite: SOC152 or PSY101)

This course addresses the fundamental question of how and why social organization is possible. Attention is given to major concepts and theories of social structure, forms of social organization (groups, communities, networks, formal organizations), basic social processes (integration, differentiation, regulation, change), the emergence of social organization from individual decision-making, and the sociology of work and occupations. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

Bachelor of Arts degrees at Concordia University, St. Paul consists of a major of typically 32 to 44 credits or two minors, general education courses, and elective courses totaling a minimum of 128 credits.

Career Potential

You’ll also keep it real beyond the classroom with travel and internship opportunities in one of the most culturally diverse metropolitan areas in the nation. And because we design our sociology program to be responsive to the exact needs of the marketplace, it will be a relevant major if you’re considering a career in social services, business, youth development, research, law, criminal justice, gerontology, community development and other related fields.

Adoption

Business

Community Development

Gerontology

Probation

Research

Social Services

Youth Development

Criminal Justice

Law

Student Success StoriesLiz Bartels ’15 - Lutheran Classroom Teacher

"Concordia helped to fuel my passion for becoming a Lutheran teacher and allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of teaching children about God."

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Accreditation

Concordia University, St. Paul is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Concordia University, St. Paul has been accredited since 1967, with reaccreditation given in 2008.